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Post by Chris on Apr 25, 2007 21:50:58 GMT -8
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Post by Chris on Apr 26, 2007 6:46:07 GMT -8
The link doesn't work so here's the article.
Metal-bat ban set for September in NYC high schools By SARA KUGLER Associated Press Writer
April 24, 2007, 1:19 AM EDT NEW YORK -- Opponents vowed a lawsuit after the City Council overrode a mayoral veto of a ban on metal bats in high school baseball in the nation's largest school system.
The council's move Monday means the ban is set to take effect this September.
The measure outlaws metal bats under the theory that they crack harder and faster hits, raising the risk of injury because young players have less time to react to speeding baseballs. Opponents, including Little League Baseball and sporting goods makers, say there is no evidence metal bats are more dangerous.
Youth leagues and lawmakers are proposing similar bans in other areas, including New Jersey, where a 12-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and suffered serious injuries after a batted ball struck him in the chest.
In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed the bat ban earlier this month, saying the issue should be left up to those who run the youth leagues, not the government. But the City Council overwhelmingly knocked down the veto by a vote of 41-4.
"What we're trying to do is reduce risk," said Councilman James Oddo, the sponsor of the bill.
Opponents argue that there is no scientific evidence proving metal bats pose a greater danger than wooden bats and that the anti-metal movement relies on emotional anecdotes over concrete data.
Shortly after the council's vote, a group of opponents announced its plans to file a federal lawsuit seeking to block the ban.
Little League president Stephen D. Keener, who was not part of the suit, issued a statement saying his organization is "disappointed in the action taken today by the New York City Council to override the logic and sensibility of Mayor Bloomberg's veto."
In 2005, an American Legion Baseball study found no substantial scientific proof to support the argument that wooden bats are safer than metal bats.
Professional players have weighed in on both sides.
Former New York Mets relief pitcher John Franco testified in support of the ban at a council hearing last month, while New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said there is no evidence that metal bats are dangerous.
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Post by Chris on Apr 26, 2007 6:49:51 GMT -8
We all know that the new bats have more pop. Let's be real. But should a city council be mandating what kind of bats can be used? Geez, give me a break!
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Post by knezme on Apr 26, 2007 7:22:42 GMT -8
Maybe there is a grey area we are not thinking about. Is the composite bats considered metal?? The composites seem to be the trend of the future.
I agree with you chris...........wooden bats can splinter and puncture skin just like metal. The NY city counsel needs to keep their noses out of it !!!
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Post by scrapper on Apr 26, 2007 8:04:03 GMT -8
I'm telling you, as more kids get hurt with the composites, all of the governments will get involved and then Little League will be under the pressure to change the requirement.
It is BS, but if you look at the laws most governments are passing now, they all infringe on our individual rights. Tell them to solve the big issues.
Then you get guys like Barney Fife enforcing these thing suck arse laws.
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Post by Greenie on Apr 26, 2007 8:23:28 GMT -8
I agree the "G" needs to stay out of it. They do need to cool it with the composite bat. We are going to start seeing a kid playing T-ball jacking them out.
This is all starting to make sense tho. Yesterday while I was getting the field ready for the games last night I noticed a N.S. Yankee coach in the parking lot talking to a city councilman. I couldn't hear much but the Yankee coach was mumbling ban the intentional walk. He kept saying it over and over. Then he passed an envelope to the guy and a Benji fell out. HMMMMMMM
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Post by Chris on Apr 26, 2007 9:07:26 GMT -8
LOL Greenie - You're killing me! LL has new rules coming next year regarding the weight drop and performance. So don't go out and buy any new bats.
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Post by scrapper on Apr 26, 2007 10:55:01 GMT -8
that means Wood bats for everybody
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Post by Rodney L. Voumard on Apr 26, 2007 11:06:55 GMT -8
This is all starting to make sense tho. Yesterday while I was getting the field ready for the games last night I noticed a N.S. Yankee coach in the parking lot talking to a city councilman. I couldn't hear much but the Yankee coach was mumbling ban the intentional walk. He kept saying it over and over. Then he passed an envelope to the guy and a Benji fell out. HMMMMMMM I'd hate to get behind Greenie in line for CONFESSIONS...Better bring your lunch......
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Post by Mark on Apr 26, 2007 11:16:39 GMT -8
hope this doesnt spread but as more in more government officials get more and more power hungry over issues that have nothing to do with them it will get worse for the Metal Bat companies if they continue to improve their bats. the more they improve their bats the deeper they will be diggin their own graves.
HS rules state that a bat must have no more than a -3 weight drop and that the ball must NOT bounce off of the bat faster than it would off of a normal wooden bat (BESR approval).
i saw a show on Real Sports on HBO on how comapnies go around it. i think it was that they use machine test swings against 20-30 MPH pitches. and that difference in speed the ball bounces off of the wood and metal bats is within the margin of acceptance, but if you test it in real life circumstances where force meets force and bats are swung with above average bat speed and pitches are thrown at 70-90 MPH the difference and MPH that the ball bounces off of the bat between wood and Metal bats is huge.
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Post by scrapper on Apr 26, 2007 12:17:41 GMT -8
"Better bring your lunch", with Greenie, you better bring your sleeping bag.
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Post by Chris on Apr 26, 2007 12:25:10 GMT -8
I have no problem with baseball regulating itself. But a city council making the rules. No way.
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Post by tmurphy on Apr 27, 2007 12:22:59 GMT -8
I thing they should get rid of all alluminum bats and go to wood, then that way we see who the real and natural hitters are. Why make a kid a stud that does not have the skills but gets lucky closes his eyes and hits one on the sweet spot for a homerun and then all of a sudden he is a stud. Everyone loves the homerun but there are very few that hits for power and has at least a season 300 avg. That is why the ones that come along such as A-Rod and a selective few more major leaguers are truly great players. Not that I am showing favoritism toward people from Georgia but look at the great Georgia Peach Ty Cobb he used wood throughout his whole career.
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Coop
Full Member
Posts: 73
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Post by Coop on Apr 28, 2007 10:02:33 GMT -8
With all the testing of the equipment that goes on through out the country with our youth activities for safety, whether it be baseball, football or etc., I agree with Tony that maybe we or others should take a good long look at the case of the bat issue. We locally have not had any problems yet. I know that when some of these accidents occur, they are freak accidents. I also know that a great many families put out a lot of money for their players on equipment to help them get that extra edge over other players or take their game to the next level. That is human nature with the merchandise on the market. Who knows what the right answer is. If it came down to the locals having to make a decision, I don't know at this time which way is the right way to go. A part of me whats to stay with old school (wood bats). I just can't see paying $200, $300, $400 for a Little League bat, especially when they are limited to size in length 33" LL and 34" Jr/Sr. It scares me that companies are wanting to make that extra buck (which I understand business) to upgrade their product at the expense of our youth. I guess that is why they call it quality control (inspections).
Closing note:
After umpiring the game last night with the National's little lefty throwing, who doesn't throw all that hard but hard enough. I CAN NOT IMAGINE what it would be like if he/a Tyler Murphy (or anyone like them) were my sons and had to pitch to the following players that I know and have a come back shot hit at them off the alum. bats: Brackett, Cook, Gonzalez, Gurr, Hatcher, Olsen and Voumard and others. I know that it would be a freak accident but it just scares the hell of me.
As I said, "Who knows what the right answer is"? I guess that is why those at Williamsport get paid the big bucks for rules and regulations, even though I don't agree with some of their rules, such as coaches warming up the pitchers, courtesy runner and etc.
Coop
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Post by Chris on Apr 28, 2007 10:11:27 GMT -8
I agree with both you and Murphy. I think LL should police itself. I just have an issue with a city council of all entities making such a decision.
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